Seasonal Rhythms & Why Our Children Still Need Them

Posted on 02/08/2023

mom swinging with kids from tree swing

Even though our contemporary conveniences allow us to function without paying much attention to natural cycles like day and night or seasonal changes, we still do thrive when we intentionally pay attention to those rhythms around us. We do well to pay attention to nature and include seasonal celebrations - rituals, even - into our children's lives, even though in our modern lifestyles, we can easily obtain any type of food at any time of year and there is no law requiring us to prepare for or celebrate the many different seasons in any particular way. Those ever changing rhythms around us are actually quite significant. Let me explain.

Out of Chaos, Order

The phrase "our kids are growing up in a world that's different from the one in which we grew up" has recently been used frequently by parents. Has our world today actually improved compared with a couple decades ago? I'm not sure. But it certainly seems more terrifying. Particularly among children, anxiety is on the rise. And do you know what many individuals find to be helpful in reducing anxiety? Regularity, rituals, and routines. Sure, some kids enjoy surprises and adventure more than others, but almost all of them also enjoy a little stability. It's helpful to know what to expect occasionally. Seasons do that for us, and we can build on those regularly occurring cycles to give our kids even more stability.

Better Decisions

Don't we all go into food ruts sometimes? I am sure I do. Yet, sourcing locally grown fruit and vegetables and taking advantage of their seasonal availability can be enjoyable (and economical). Some studies suggest the fact that our predecessors were required to consume various foods at various times of the year may have contributed to their having more well-balanced diets. Also, when you have to spend more time cooking your own food, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to then spend less time with your kids; instead, you can directly involve them in the preparation of healthy food, and this can actually be very good for their growth. This is a change you and your child can make together while discovering the genuine foods which you both like most. Once you "retrain" your appetite, you'll find that you'll gradually lose your desires to lazily rely on pre-packaged snack foods for sustenance.

Delight in Preparation

This season, what are we preparing for? Do you have a holiday that you observe? Do any family members have birthdays? Do you have any travel plans? Could you arrange to bless someone special by inviting them to a meal at your home or by providing some sort of thank you present for a group of public servants, assuming your schedule doesn't appear to be too full? You and your child can get ready for the future with the help of quarterly planning sessions and calendar gatherings, as long as the timetable isn't overly demanding.

You may assist your child in maximizing the natural cycles in our world and establishing some emotionally and physically good habits by implementing some seasonal rhythms and festivities.

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